Guest Post By Kimberly Rose Johnson
It’s an old saying, but it still rings true. Not all pain is healthy or profitable, however, there are exceptions. For example, a painful experience can bring growth to our lives. I can’t tell you how many book proposal rejections I received early on in my career as a writer. Yes, I was disappointed, but I took those rejections and tried to grow from them.
Romans 5:3-5 …we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
You might be thinking yeah, that’s all good and well to say, but you haven’t experienced what I have. True. But I have experienced God’s faithfulness in a very difficult time.
Eight months after my husband and I were married his parents and grandparents were all killed in a plane crash. This was devastating. My husband was only 21 and way too young to lose his family. This could have destroyed him as well as our marriage, but we clung to the Lord and rejoiced in the only thing we could—his family was now with the Lord in heaven. We grew stronger as a couple and in our faith. The Lord showed his grace and faithfulness to us through others who rallied around us.
Life is filled with daily challenges and our response to those challenges can either cause growth or setbacks. I encourage each of you to determine to allow the Lord to help you grow and learn from challenges and setbacks.
Kimberly Rose Johnson is a multi-published author with five titles released through Heartsong Presents, and five more released through Mountain Brook Ink.
When Heartsong made the announcement in late 2014 that they were closing, Kimberly had to make a decision. She loved writing shorter novels and had no desire to expand her stories to trade-length fiction, which limited where her work could be placed. She considered self-publishing but didn’t want to tackle the work that entailed, and keep up with her writing.
In early 2015, Miralee Ferrell contacted her, asking if she’d consider signing with Mountain Brook Ink, and after careful consideration, Kimberly accepted. Her most recent book, Designing Love, book 3 in SUNRIVER DREAMS released early 2017.
Learn more about Kimberly: kimberlyrjohnson.com
Melissa Henderson